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Quaker Instant Oatmeal Lower Sugar Maple & Brown Sugar
Photo: Open Food Facts contributors (CC BY-SA)

Oatmeal

Quaker Instant Oatmeal Lower Sugar Maple & Brown Sugar

9.5 oz, 8 × 1.19 oz packets

Okay out of 100 High confidence
  • Ultra-processed
  • High in salt
  • Contains non-nutritive sweeteners
  • Contains added sugars
  • Contains whole grains
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Why it scores 49

Quaker Instant Oatmeal Lower Sugar Maple & Brown Sugar scores 49 out of 100 (Okay) under GoodSwap’s published rules. What moved the score most:

  1. Sugar: An added sugar. Strong
  2. Ultra-processed (NOVA 4): Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. Strong
  3. Sugars 11.8 g / 100 g: High in sugar. Strong

Every line of the math is on The Receipt below, with its evidence tier and sources.

Better oatmeal and hot cereal

The same kind of product, at least 10 points higher, sold in the US. Never paid placements.

The Receipt

Instant Oatmeal Lower Sugar Maple & Brown Sugar

START100

Ingredients

  • Sugar
    Strong An added sugar. [1][2][3]
  • Natural flavors
    Info "Natural flavor" is a legal category (21 CFR 101.22(a)(3)): flavor substances from spices, fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy or fermentation. [4][5]
  • Monk fruit extract
    Emerging WHO (2023) recommends against using non-sugar sweeteners to control body weight (conditional recommendation); US dietary guidelines advise limiting them. [6][2]
subtotal−25

Processing

  • Ultra-processed (NOVA 4)
    Strong Classified NOVA 4: made with industrial ingredients and additives. [5]
  • 2 kinds of ultra-processing markers
    Emerging Industrial additive classes found: flavoring and non-nutritive sweetener. [5]
subtotal−19.5

Nutrition per 100 g

  • Sugars 11.8 g / 100 g
    Strong High in sugar. [1]
  • Saturated fat 1.5 g / 100 g
    Strong Contains some saturated fat. [7]
  • Salt 1.8 g / 100 g
    Strong High in salt. [8]
  • Energy 353 kcal / 100 g
    Info Energy-dense for its weight. [2]
  • Fiber 8.8 g / 100 g
    Strong A good source of fiber. [2]
  • Protein 11.8 g / 100 g
    Info A good source of protein. [2]
subtotal−7
TOTAL 49Okay

100 − 51.5 = 48.5 → 49

Can’t score above 79. Contains sugar, an ingredient of high concern. [1][2][3]

Can’t score above 79. High in salt (above the front-of-pack "high" level). [9]

GTIN 00030000568552 · 2026-06-01

score v1.3.0 · kb 2026.10.11

High confidence

Same product, same score. Every time.

Nutrition per 100 g

Energy353 kcal
Fat5.9 g
Saturated fat1.5 g
Trans fat0 g
Carbohydrates70.6 g
Sugars11.8 g
Added sugars11.8 g
Fiber8.8 g
Protein11.8 g
Salt1.8 g

Serving: 34 g

Ingredients

High Moderate Not recognized Tap an ingredient for its evidence and rules.
Label text, as published

Whole grain oats, sugar, salt, natural flavor, monk fruit extract.

Allergens and diets

Contains: Gluten

  • Not gluten-free
  • Palm-oil-free

Always check the package: recipes change.

Packaging

Composite material, Paperboard

Context only: no points in v1.

Healthiest porridge in the US

More from Quaker

Sources

  1. Guideline: sugars intake for adults and children

    World Health Organization · Mar 4, 2015 · Agency assessment

    “In both adults and children, WHO recommends reducing the intake of free sugars to less than 10% of total energy intake”

    who.int

  2. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2025–2030

    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Agriculture · January 2026 · Regulator

    “Limit foods and beverages that include artificial flavors, petroleum-based dyes, artificial preservatives, and low-calorie non-nutritive sweeteners.”

    cdn.realfood.gov

  3. Added and free sugars should be as low as possible

    European Food Safety Authority · Feb 28, 2022 · Agency assessment

    “Sugar consumption is a known cause of dental caries.”

    efsa.europa.eu

  4. 21 CFR 101.22 Foods; labeling of spices, flavorings, colorings and chemical preservatives

    Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), U.S. Office of the Federal Register · Dec 19, 2016 · Law

    “whose significant function in food is flavoring rather than nutritional.”

    ecfr.gov

  5. Ultra-processed foods: what they are and how to identify them

    Public Health Nutrition · April 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org

  6. WHO advises not to use non-sugar sweeteners for weight control in newly released guideline

    World Health Organization · May 15, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “The recommendation is based on the findings of a systematic review of the available evidence which suggests that use of NSS does not confer any long-term benefit in reducing body fat in adults or children.”

    who.int

  7. Saturated fatty acid and trans-fatty acid intake for adults and children: WHO guideline

    World Health Organization · Jul 17, 2023 · Agency assessment

    “WHO recommends that adults and children reduce saturated fatty acid intake to 10% of total energy intake (strong recommendation).”

    who.int

  8. Sodium reduction (fact sheet)

    World Health Organization · May 11, 2026 · Agency assessment

    “For adults, WHO recommends less than 2000 mg/day of sodium (equivalent to less than 5 g/day salt), or just under a teaspoon.”

    who.int

  9. Guide to creating a front of pack (FoP) nutrition label for pre-packed products sold through retail outlets

    Department of Health and Social Care / Food Standards Agency (GOV.UK) · Nov 8, 2016 · Regulator

    “Table 3: Criteria for drinks (per 100ml)”

    assets.publishing.service.gov.uk

  10. Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses

    BMJ · Feb 28, 2024 · Peer-reviewed

    “Greater exposure to ultra-processed food was associated with a higher risk of adverse health outcomes, especially cardiometabolic, common mental disorder, and mortality outcomes.”

    doi.org

  11. Ultra-Processed Diets Cause Excess Calorie Intake and Weight Gain: An Inpatient Randomized Controlled Trial of Ad Libitum Food Intake

    Cell Metabolism · July 2019 · Peer-reviewed

    doi.org